PEDIATRIC UROLOGY

Long-term outcome of laparoscopically managed nonpalpable testes
Radmayr C, Oswald J, Schwentner C, Neururer R, Peschel R, Bartsch G
Department of Pediatric Urology, University of Innsbruck, Austria
J Urol. 2003; 170: 2409-11

• Purpose: We evaluated laparoscopic diagnostic findings in 108 impalpable testes, and analyzed the success rate and long-term outcome of either direct laparoscopic orchiopexy or the 2-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure.
• Materials and Methods: A total of 84 children with 108 impalpable testes and a mean age of 1.9 years underwent laparoscopy between 1992 and September 2000. Long-term outcome with regard to viability and location of the testes was evaluated.
• Results: Of the 108 testes 72 were located intra-abdominally, of which 28 were managed by direct laparoscopic orchiopexy, 29 were managed by a 2-stage laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens procedure and 15 were vanishing. The remaining 36 testes were inguinally located during exploration and orchiopexy, except for 5 vanishing testes. In all cases the operation proceeded as planned. After a mean followup of 6.2 years all laparoscopically managed testicles were in a normal scrotal position with normal perfusion as revealed by color flow Doppler sonography. Two testicles became atrophic after a 2-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure. Morbidity was low in all children.
• Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach allows not only diagnosis, but also adequate therapy regardless of whether direct orchiopexy or a 2-stage procedure is performed. Our long-term results clearly demonstrate that even in the patients undergoing the 2-stage procedure the laparoscopic approach is safe and efficient, and leads to excellent results concerning viability of the affected testicles. Progress and experience gained during recent years are encouraging in continuing laparoscopic procedures in children.
  
  
• Editorial Comment
  The management of nonpalpable testes has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. Currently in most centers, diagnostic laparoscopy is the procedure of choice. This has been demonstrated clearly to be the procedure of choice for localization of high testes. In some cases, the diagnosis of “vanishing” testes can be made and this is sufficient to avoid further operative intervention. In others the visualization of the exact position of the testis will determine the operative plan. In some cases an inguinal approach is sufficient, but in others an abdominal approach is needed. Based on advances in laparoscopic techniques, most intraabdominal testes can be brought down with using laparoscopic dissection, as either a single- or a two-staged procedure. However the literature is short on long-term results of these procedures.
  The authors report their experience with laparoscopic management of 84 children with 108 nonpalpable testes. Ultimately 28 underwent a single-stage laparoscopic orchiopexy and 29 underwent a 2-stage laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens type of orchiopexy. The results at a mean follow-up of 6.2 years are reported. Of the children who underwent the single-stage procedures, all had testes in a normal scrotal position with normal perfusion by Doppler ultrasound. Of those undergoing the two-stage procedure, two had atrophic testes. Although these results are less good, these procedures were, of course, done in a more difficult population with testes that were no doubt higher than the others were. Overall the surgical results are excellent and they were achieved with a minimum of morbidity.
  On the other hand, it must be said that the authors use “long-term” loosely. For example, what will the adult testicular size be? Will the epididymis in these patients allow normal sperm development and transport? Will the vas function normally? What will the sperm counts/fertility be? What will the incidence of neoplasia be? What we need in pediatric urology are data that are truly “long-term”.

Dr. Barry A. Kogan
Chief and Professor of Urology and Pediatrics
Albany Medical College
Albany, New York, USA